Jared Leto Considered ‘Dragging Up’ For The Academy Awards

Jared Leto almost dressed as his character from Dallas Buyers Club during his appearance at the 2014 Academy Awards.

The 30 Seconds to Mars frontman earned a metric ton of awards for his portrayal of Rayon in director Jean-Marc Vallée’s acclaimed drama. Leto reportedly loved the character so much that he almost brought her along to the awards ceremony.

According to the London Evening Standard, Jared Leto seriously considered “dragging up” for the Oscars. The reason: The actor thought Rayon would have enjoyed the event. Unfortunately for fans of the film, the actor decided to show up as himself.

Judging from his comments, Leto had a fantastic time hanging out at the Academy Awards. The actor revealed that at one point his mom was dancing with the likes of Madonna. If that wasn’t enough to break his mind, then Jared is as solid as they come. He also remarked about his newfound appreciation for something he calls “the process.”

“It’s so much work for girls to get ready. I was brought up by my mom, so I always had an appreciation of women. But now I have more respect for the process. It’s a lot, what women have to do to themselves. But in the end, when you put that final dash of lipstick on and your look all comes together, it really is a glorious reward,” he explained.

Of course, Jared Leto probably didn’t do himself any favors by using the term “dragging up.” As the folks at Bustle point, this definitely won’t settle well with some members of the transgender community.

“Last time I checked the character Rayon was transgendered, not a drag queen, so if you were going to dress as her for the Oscars, I’m not sure ‘dragging up’ is really the most appropriate of terminologies. Maybe not all that sensitive to the community at large,” writer Alicia Lutes pointed out.

Jared Leto also faced some backlash after his win at the Academy Awards since he didn’t bother to properly thank the transgender community during his acceptance speech. For many folks, this was nothing more than insult to injury.

“I have no interest in watching a cis man in drag play a trans woman ever again. No matter what ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ does as a film, the narrative around this movie, the fact that a man in drag is playing a trans woman, perpetuates the stereotype that we are men in drag,” blogger Jos Truitt wrote in response to Leto’s performance.

What do you think about Jared Leto almost “dragging up” for the Oscars?